John Proctor Research Paper

Emma Brown
Mr. Stanberry
AP Language and Composition
03 October 2016
The Growth of John Proctor
John Proctor, the man who died an honest man, is the character in “The Crucible” we see the most development in. Although at the beginning of the story he was a very selfish man, he’d grown into a better person. He showed the motivation to fix things with his wife and had a huge impact on the aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials.
Throughout the Crucible, John Proctor showed tremendous growth in his character. He first started out as a cheating man with little respect towards him. He then decides to change his ways and tell Abigail Williams, the girl he was cheating with, that their secret relationship is over. “But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again.” (Proctor 24) Another growth of his is when he would rather die than let his children seem him as a liar. (I have three children- how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?” (Proctor 150). He would rather turn himself in then let others get accused. John Proctor shows that he not such a bad guy after all.
The motivation that drove John Proctor was his own reputation and his wife. At the beginning of the novel he was afraid of being exposed of committing adultery. “If the
girl’s a saint now, I think it is not easy to prove she’s fraud, and the town gone so silly. She told it to me in a room alone - I have no proof for it.” (Proctor) Soon after he stated that Elizabeth finds out he committed adultery and that’s why he won’t go forward and tell the truth because he doesn’t want anyone to know. Once his wife was locked in jail for being accused of witchcraft, Proctor tries to do everything he can to get her out even by reaching out to Abigail. “If you do not free my wife tomorrow, I am set and bound to ruin you, Abby.” (Proctor 150) He is then desperate to get Goody Proctor's forgiveness and hope to make amends.

At the beginning of the story you start to see the impact John Proctor has made.
Once Goody Proctor discovers that Abigail is a fraud, she wants John to go to Salem to confess what he knows on Abigail. “I would go to Salem now, John- let you go tonight.” (Proctor 56) He didn't go to Salem because he’s afraid to be charged with adultery, and the truth doesn’t come out until later in the story. At the end of the Crucible John Proctor's impact was selfless and honorable. “...Because I lie and sign myself to lies!... How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (Proctor 150) He refuses to confess what he knows isn’t true. That he would rather die than tell another
lie.
John Proctor’s growth in the “Crucible” was something that showed he was the tragic hero. Although he did many things throughout the book that showed he had many good qualities, he was also flawed. He had a temper and a bad past with Abigail Williams. But it is still to be argued that he was motivated, had tremendous growth, and had an impact on the “Salem Witch Trials”. In conclusion, John Proctor was the base of the novel “The Crucibles.”

Works Cited Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. New York: Viking, 1953. Print.